Mbappe, Muani, Osimhen and 12 other transfers which could shake up football in 2023

Every transfer window is filled with rumours, intrigue and a hell of a lot of money thrown around. Teams are always looking to upgrade and the decisions they make in each transfer window can impact them for years to come. Here are some rumoured transfers which could shake up the European football landscape.

Rice has long been linked to childhood club, Chelsea, but reports suggest Arsenal are well on its way to nabbing current West Ham captain. Arteta is rumoured to be a huge fan of the 24 year old, adding Rice to an already talented Gunners squad could help take them to the next level. It'll cost them though, with Hammers coach David Moyes telling BBC Sport he believed Rice would be worth over 150 million pounds on the market. 

Despite pouring eye-water figures down the drain on ill thought out transfer last year, Chelsea are undeterred from making a big push for Victor Osmihen. And to be fair, Osmihen has all the potential to solve their striking woes. With 26 goals in 32 games for league winners Napoli, Osmihen has proven his quality in Italy’s Serie A. Growing up a Drogba fan, it looks like Chelsea might even be a soft sell for the Nigerian. 

The Saudi-backed Newcastle have taken huge strides this year, competing with the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool for 4th place in the Premier League. Adding a player of Maddison’s quality to an already talented squad would add goalscoring and depth in what will be a busy 2023/24 seen for the Geordies.

The Eintracht Frankfurt striker was inches away from winning France the World Cup back in December, but his late miss hasn’t slowed his league form down at all. With 12 goals and 10 assists this season, it is believed Kolo Muani’s dream move is to play in the EPL – and Manchester United are doing their utmost to ensure he does it in the North. Muani could bring some reliability and stability to their off-and-on and strike force. 

The transfer everyone is watching, Mbappe's move to Real Madrid has been on the cards for over a year now but the likelihood went up 100% when the French forward dropped the bombshell he wouldn't be fulfilling his 2023/2025 option. Real Madrid have been circling Mbappe and are reportedly as keen to have him on the books as Mbappe is to be there himself, with the PSG star reportedly seeing Los Blancos as the best place to fulfill his Champions League dream. Will they have the funds though?

Given the career Mount has had up to this point, it would seem strange for Chelsea to let him go. Two years removed from a Champions League winners medal and a key member of recent Chelsea squads, Mount has been unable to agree to a new contract in west London. Where he goes is the big question. Manchester United are very keen but were categorically rejected for their 40 million pound offer and will now need to up their offer to nab the midfielder. 

Despite Felix often looking like the Blues standout player in what has been a tough period for the club, the troubled west London club doesn't seem keen on keeping the forward – but it could be the price tag. Having recently signed an extension at Atletico Madrid, this transfer would cost Todd Boehly well over $100 million. But Felix seems to be getting chummy with Galatasaray on social media and rumours are swirling the Istanbul table toppers are keen on getting the deal done.

The second young English player linked the Madrid side, this move would be a real blow to Chelsea. When healthy, James has proved to be 1 of the better right-backs in the Premier League, able to contribute in attack and comfortable defending 1 on 1 when needed. Madrid are looking for an upgrade to their RB slot, with Lucas Vazquez filling in and Dani Carvajal perhaps beyond his best.

Rasmus Hojlund is a name football fans might need to get used to hearing over the coming years, an ascending star of European football, swiftly moving from Copenhagen FC to Atalanta with a year stop at Sturm Graz along the way. 5 goals in 2 games for his national side, Denmark, has solidified Hojlund has a star in the making. Linked to Arsenal and Bayern Munich, it is thought Manchester United have the inside track on the signing.

Another young Dane, Lindstrom has been plying his trade for Eintracht Frankfurt for the past two seasons, settling into a starting role this year. Able to play anywhere across the front line, his profile seems a perfect fit for Mikel Arteta’s team who value positional versatility more than most.

Gvardiol was close to signing for Chelsea in the summer of 2022, with RB Leipzig nixing the deal at the last moment. Since then it seems Man City have stolen a march on their Premier League rivals and now lead the race for a player some consider to be the best centre back prospect in Europe.

Buying talented youngsters from Brazil and developing them into world superstars is a tried and true method for success in football, recently perfected by Barca’s rivals, Real Madrid. This time it could well be the Blaugrana who end up with the next world beater in their squad. Recently linked to Arsenal, Roque is admired by many in European football, but with his heart supposedly set on the Nou Camp, this transfer could solve Barcelona’s need for a long term striker.

Newcastle could well be ready to splash the cash this summer, with the potential for multiple big incomings. Moussa Diaby is reportedly high on their list, the tricky left winger could add real dynamism to their squad. Bayer Leverkusen will be loath to lose the French youngster, whose goals and assists make up a huge part of their attack.

An all-but-done deal by all reports, Manchester United's defensive ranks could be looking very fresh this year with the addition of Kim Min-jae. After all, the giant South Korean was a huge reason why Napoli won Serie A last season. Composed and technical on the ball and a physical monster off it, The Red Devils may have just found their backline X factor.

The bets are off to work out who exactly is going to pick up Harry Kane. The star forward has been heavily linked to Bayern Munchen, Manchester United and Real Madrid, only for interest from all of those clubs to wane once talks began. It seems the price tag for one of England's finest is a little too rich for most club's blood at the moment and it looks like he won't be going anywhere.